Anime: Fight Sukuna at the beginning?

Looking at Okita Souji, who was wearing a brand-new cherry-colored coat, drawing out [Kashu Kiyomitsu], and exuding an unprecedented aura of determination, with his eyes tightly closed as if brewing an attack.

Having successfully 'revived,' with only half of his armor remaining, revealing his face and bare upper body, Hijikata Toshizo did not immediately assume a fighting stance.

He first grinned, squeezing out a somewhat terrifying smile from his rugged face, slightly distorted by [Mad Enhancement].

Then, with a flick of his foot, he kicked up the musket at his feet, switching from holding the sword with both hands to one hand.

He clenched his empty left hand in front of him, grabbing the old musket that had fallen to the ground earlier.

Feeling the familiar weight, he grasped the wooden handle of the musket and flicked the entire weapon upwards.

After a crisp and familiar clicking sound, indicating the complete structure of the gun, echoed in the air, and after familiarizing himself with his stronger body through this action,

a rather satisfied smile appeared on the face of this seemingly demonic servant.

He was clearly relieved that this 'novel' firearm from his lifetime had not been damaged.

And he was also satisfied with his stronger body.

-

However, after completing his 'preparations,' this servant, holding a gun in one hand and a sword in the other, did not immediately respond to Okita Souji's 'provocation'.

He first looked with lingering fear at [Li Shuwen] not far away, who had not made any further movements but still had not accepted the fur-collared cloak from [Kotomine Kirei].

The other man's calmness and restraint seemed out of place in the current atmosphere.

But Hijikata Toshizo did not underestimate him because of this, but instead became more vigilant.

He knew very well that this unassuming old man could, if necessary, concoct a thrust that would take his life at any time.

After observing the other man and confirming that, although he had not put on the fur-collared cloak to maintain his fighting stance, he still chose to honor his promise to give his subordinate a chance to strike,

he calmly grasped the other man's position.

[He is ready to continue fighting, but he clearly doesn't believe that his subordinate can kill me with one strike, just like I don't believe it either.]

[The pride and confidence of a martial artist?]

[I can use it!]

Realizing all of this, he quickly added a hate-filled remark to the swordswoman.

He was preparing to 'cunningly' use some tricks to shake his subordinate, buying himself more time to rely on his tattered armor to draw spiritual power from the 'Leylines' and recover.

And also to 'motivate' himself, to ensure that the plan entrusted to him by his Master, [to attract members of the Holy Church], could be implemented smoothly.

"It seems that after we left you to recuperate there because of your serious illness, you have become very fond of talking back."

"You actually think that you can defeat the immortal me, the [Shinsengumi], by taking the initiative to attack me this time."

After mentioning the [Shinsengumi] in his words, this man, who originally had a fairly handsome face, seemed to have had some kind of switch flipped.

His aura surged violently, and the smile on his face instantly disappeared, replaced by an undisguised anger.

His reason collapsed in an instant, like a building with its foundations removed.

The muscles on his face seemed unable to control themselves, twisting and deforming, his eyes bulging, as if he had turned into a wild beast that could lose control at any moment.

He laughed fiercely, his eyes fierce, although he did not say more words.

But everyone in the field had already read his unspoken subtext.

[This, is absolutely impossible.]

——

In mid-air,

Hearing the words of the 'restored' Hijikata Toshizo.

Using the Tohsaka family's inherited magic to see that the other party was still drawing magic power from the 'Leylines' in a steady stream, and realizing that another profitable 'spiritual land' had been written off.

His income shrinking to one-half of its original amount, Tokiomi Tohsaka also 'went mad' like Hijikata Toshizo.

Only one thought remained in his mind at this moment.

[For the continuation of the Tohsaka family, he must be killed immediately!!!]

He glanced at Okita Souji, who had his eyes closed, through his [Familiar], and then turned his gaze to [Kotomine Kirei] not far away.

Of course, it would be more accurate to say that he was looking at [Li Shuwen] beside him rather than Kotomine Kirei.

[There's no time to delay! No matter what that 'weak' woman is doing, she shouldn't be able to kill that Berserker.]

[I must get Master Li to take action!!]

However, before his thoughts could finish, the words spoken by Gilgamesh beside him interrupted his thoughts.

"Tokiomi, it seems you want to do something 'despicable' and bold behind this King's back."

Hearing these words, [Tokiomi Tohsaka]'s body couldn't help but tremble.

In the next second, he knelt down reflexively, trembling all over, and said words of entreaty for forgiveness in a rather pious tone with a slightly weeping voice.

"King, it concerns the foundation of the Tohsaka family, please."

Looking at [Tokiomi Tohsaka], who had no dignity like a boneless person and chose to kneel on the ground,

a faint trace of anger flashed in Gilgamesh's eyes, followed by almost overflowing disgust.

[Is this boring and ugly person this King's Master?]

[How pathetic.]

He waved his hand, stopping [Tokiomi Tohsaka]'s pleading words, and directly stated his request.

"You and this King had the same idea."

"Notify Kirei and let that old man end this battle."

Hearing these words, [Tokiomi Tohsaka] was stunned for a moment, and then an unbelievable shock appeared on his face.

"You mean?"

Seeing his Master's sluggish reaction, Gilgamesh couldn't help but frown slightly, suppressing his temper and explaining in a rather elegant tone.

"Clumsy clowns can only stage boring 'plays' that make people yawn."

"That woman holding the sword is not the interesting Saber who can bring surprises to this King."

Hearing these words, [Tokiomi Tohsaka], who raised his head, opened his mouth slightly, as if a piece of electronic equipment that popped up a [No Response] prompt and crashed, hadn't reacted yet.

Seeing his Master's idiotic appearance, the dissatisfaction in Gilgamesh's heart swelled rapidly.

His face showed 'anger that even a monkey could detect', and he reprimanded in a rather dissatisfied tone.

"Do you still want this King to continue watching this boring battle?

"What audacity, Tokiomi!!!"

Seeing the other party's familiar bad attitude, [Tokiomi Tohsaka] woke up from his dream and began to communicate with [Kotomine Kirei] using magic.

And Gilgamesh, sitting on the throne, looked at [Tokiomi Tohsaka]'s departing figure, and the dissatisfaction in his heart had reached its peak.

[His existence is like a rather obvious stain on a gem inlaid on a crown, making one sick.]

[If there is a chance, let's replace him.]

After pronouncing [Tokiomi Tohsaka]'s 'death sentence', Gilgamesh turned his gaze to [Li Shuwen] on the ground.

He was very much looking forward to how strong the old man's second shot would be with the blessing of more complete 'skills'.

——

Beside the battlefield.

"Kirei, please let Master Li take action."

"This is also allowed by the King, the Tohsaka family's foundation must be preserved."

Hearing these somewhat urgent words from his mentor, [Kotomine Kirei] was stunned for a moment, and then looked at [Li Shuwen] beside him.

But just as he was about to utter a request, a strange emotion floated in [Kotomine Kirei]'s heart.

As this emotion emerged and prevented him from immediately conveying this order, the chaotic but forcibly suppressed and funny posture of [Tokiomi Tohsaka], which he had glimpsed earlier, emerged in his mind.

That inexplicable and strange pleasure rose again in his heart.

He looked up at the 'King's Throne' in the sky with some confusion, and rarely did not give an immediate reply.

Instead, he paused, thought for a while, delayed for a while, and then reluctantly replied to [Tokiomi Tohsaka], "Understood, teacher."

Finally, he cleared his throat and, after letting the Berserker destroy another 'spiritual land', he respectfully conveyed the order to [Li Shuwen] beside him.

"Master Li, the teacher hopes you can"

Before [Kotomine Kirei] could finish speaking the words he had conceived.

A cold aura suddenly appeared on [Li Shuwen]'s wrinkled face, and he gave an extremely decisive refusal.

"Master, we agreed in advance."

"I will complete the goals you entrusted to me, but you must not interfere with my combat strategies and my specific actions."

As he spoke, [Li Shuwen] stroked the white wax pole he was holding in his hand, and looked at the two people in the field with absolute certainty.

"Let's wait a little longer, maybe we will see something interesting happen."

He had already sensed through his martial artist's instinct that an unknown transformation was taking place on the body of the female swordsman.

Perhaps this strike would kill the immortal servant, and then transform into a martial artist who was qualified to engage in a life-and-death battle with himself, and who could continue to hone his skills and evolve.

Of course, it was only a slight possibility.

Despite the emergence of some inexplicable expectations in his emotions, [Li Shuwen] felt that the other party's strike should not be able to complete the goal of killing the other party from a rational point of view.

After all, the immortal man had become stronger, and the other party had not even mastered the 'realm' of a martial artist, and the swordsmanship she practiced had not given birth to 'intention'.

Even if her body was stronger than his, how could she destroy that man like him?

After judging the situation, [Li Shuwen] couldn't help but sigh.

[Maybe, in the end, the old me is still the strongest martial artist.]

[I also can't find someone through this [Holy Grail War] who can make me put down my gun and use my fists to fight with him.]

[Li Shuwen] looked at the swordswoman in the field, and couldn't help but feel a bit of regret on his face.

-

And [Kotomine Kirei], after conveying the news of [Li Shuwen]'s rejection to [Tokiomi Tohsaka] and being scolded for it.

Not only was he not annoyed, but a joy that ordinary people could not capture arose in his heart.

From the other party's somewhat distorted words, he had imagined his teacher's face as if he had lost his parents.

Letting that inexplicable emotion in his heart quickly spread to his whole body, bringing a joy that could not be described in words and filled the emptiness in his heart.

Under this feeling, [Kotomine Kirei] vaguely realized the name of this emotion.

Looking at the two servants in the field, he now hoped that this battle, which made [Tokiomi Tohsaka]'s blood pressure soar, could last a little longer.

It was just that reason and experience told him that the servant holding the sword had absolutely no possibility of completing this idea.

But after he saw that the woman opened her eyes, he quickly changed this view.

——

The swordswoman heard her superior mention the serious illness that made her unable to wield her sword, and could only trap her in the sanatorium.

Therefore, she failed to fight alongside her comrades, and finally took her life.

But she did not respond with any words.

As if having gotten rid of the side effects of [Weakness], she had already forgotten that she had become part of the legend of the Heroic Spirit.

Only the knife clenched unconsciously in her hand faintly indicated the 'lethality' of this sentence.

But she was not in a hurry to draw her sword, but continued to capture the somewhat illusory 'skill' with her eyes still tightly closed.

[Just a little bit more, just a little bit more and I can bring the [Command Seal] back for Master.]

[I need to find those winning techniques from the tens of millions of possibilities.]

At this moment, she was very clear about one thing in her heart.

[The power of that old man's shot has not yet reached its peak, and the other party's second shot will definitely be stronger.]

[If this strike cannot kill the other party, then that old man will definitely not give himself a second chance to strike.]

This is a [battle where you can only strike once].

It is also a battle that she must win for herself and for her Master.

As the desire to win for the man became more and more firm, she, who should not be able to see anything with her eyes tightly closed, sensed that the world in her eyes was slowing down.

The [Noble Phantasm] and herself, which had already come to an end, had new possibilities.

[Since I 'remembered' it.]

[Then, let's swing that 'strike' based on feeling!]

Thinking of this, the swordswoman opened her eyes and swung the sword in her hand.

The [Matter Merge] that could not be named, which Fang Yi had used but had not mastered, reappeared in her hand.

However, in the next moment, she activated [Nameless Three-Stage Thrust] and swung a 'strike' that jumped to the parallel world again.

Returning to the time point before the strike was swung, the swordswoman looked at the sword light that had already been swung, but shook her head in dissatisfaction.

[Not enough!!]

The weak [Nameless Three-Stage Thrust], even with the blessing of [Matter Merge], overlapping the [Noble Phantasm] three times, with all nine strikes hitting, could not escape the category of weakness, and could not surpass the other party's limit to destroy him.

[I need to be stronger.]

[I need to become stronger, surpass the original me, and break through my own limits.]

[Only in this way can I participate in Master's seemingly endless battle!]

Recalling the feeling of becoming stronger when her sword clashed with the man's,

the swordswoman only felt that the world in her eyes slowed down again.

Relying on her emotions and inner feelings, she triggered the 'inspiration' of [Seizing the Initiative], and once again instinctively swung the [Kashu Kiyomitsu] in her hand.

She unleashed a unique strike, as if rooted in her very bloodline.

This strike was absolutely unique.

The brilliant blade light that surged towards the opponent under her swing seemed to illuminate all worlds with boundless light.

It radiated an aura of boundlessness, unobstructedness, and immeasurability.

After unleashing this strike, the 'inspiration' faded, and the swordswoman, unable to unleash such a strike again in a short time, vaguely understood something.

[This strike is beyond my current control.]

[The impetus for this strike is the unforgettable memory etched in my heart from the day I met him, the moment I first saw him.]

Its name is.

[Absolute Blade]

-

But after unleashing this strike, returning to the moment before the strike, and gaining a third chance to strike, the swordswoman looked at the boundless, unobstructed, and immeasurable blade light, still not satisfied.

[Not enough, this hastily executed and unfamiliar strike may not be able to completely destroy him.]

[I need a strike of the same level or even surpassing it.]

Thinking this, the swordswoman closed her eyes again.

After contemplating for a while in the stopped time, she made a very 'shameless' decision.

"Then please 'lend' me the swordsmanship to obliterate him, Master."

[Moon in the Mirror]

As the [Kashu Kiyomitsu] in her hand vibrated, the swordswoman unleashed her final strike.

This strike was unremarkable, even plain.

There were no startling fluctuations, nor an aura that devoured everything.

There was only a silent blade light compressed into a line.

But sensing this borrowed, still immature technique.

At this moment, the skill seemed rooted in her bloodline, reproduced in her hands as easily as moving her own limbs.

The swordswoman finally nodded in satisfaction, uttering the words to announce the end of the battle.

"Enough."

The next moment, as the sound of the wind entered her ears.

The world in her eyes also returned to normal.